Tips: It’s loud and the drink lines are long, and no one ever dances, but it’s the ad community’s event to see and be seen, and admission includes two drinks and appetizer. A mix of ages and backgrounds, this event skews to 20s and 30s and the advertising/creative set. Almost everyone behaves. Bring cards, but this one’s mostly for the photo-ops. Register for the event ($55/60).

Tuesday, December 10

Holiday Network-and-Lunch

Clyde’s – Chevy Chase, 12 Noon – 1:30 p.m. Fletcher Prince organizes this small group business networking event. The conversation is casual and everyone pays their own way ($15 to $20).

Tips: Dress is business casual. Expect to meet a diverse group of six to twelve business owners and PR professionals, as well as yours truly.

Tips: Network with a suited and mature crowd of about 50 PR professionals who know each other well. There are chapter volunteer award announcements. Better for chapter insiders. Bring a toy for Toys for Tots. Register today.

Tuesday, December 17

WWPR Holiday Party

Tonic Restaurant, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Join Washington Women in Public Relations for their Holiday Party in Washington, DC The specialty of this Foggy Bottom restaurant is comfort food, including tots with a variety of sauces. All guests will leave with a party favor from WWPR and an early release of the 2014 schedule of events. Raffle proceeds benefit WWPR’s pro bono client, FLOW–Financial Literacy Organization for Women and Girls.

Tips: Both men and women attend these events, but the majority are fashionably attired, well-heeled female PR pros in their 20s and 30s, as well as a few seasoned pros with great connections. A mannerly bunch, and a friendly crowd to newbies.

I was lucky to be guest of gold sponsor PRofessional Solutions, LLC, a Fletcher Prince client. I also lucked out by winning seasons 1-5 of Mad Men on DVD at the raffle.

Fletcher Prince supported the event by purchasing a full page ad in the event program.

2013 Honoree Pam Jenkins, president of the public affairs firm, Powell Tate, was named Washington PR Woman of the Year. She spoke movingly about her career and balancing the needs of her family, and recommended involving children in a mother’s work life. She also emphasized how important it was to leave work behind and foster other interests.

Judy Smith, President of Smith & Company, has written a new book about managing the impact of crises on one’s personal brand. She has worked for clients ranging from Paula Deen to Monica Lewinsky to the family of Chandra Levy, among many other newsmakers. Ms. Smith said she was guided by three principles in her professional life: power, persistence, and preparation. She fielded some questions from the guests in attendance and provided general advice on PR challenges.

Maggiano’s, Tysons Galleria, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Network with independent public relations practitioners in the DC area over chicken parmigiana and ravioli at the annual IPRA holiday luncheon.

Tips: This event typically draws around 40-50 independents in their 40s to 60s who have known each other for several years, and attend the lunch annually, as well as a few sponsors and the occasional newcomer. Men wear dark suits and Christmas ties, ladies wear festive suits, or holiday sweaters. A collection is taken for charity, so bring a checkbook. Good networking and terrific food, and almost no one checks their Blackberry at the table (refreshing). Register for the event ($35/$45).

Tips: Both men and women attend these events, but they’re usually attended primarily by fashionably attired, well-heeled female PR pros in their 20s and 30s, as well as a few seasoned pros with great connections. A mannerly bunch, and a friendly crowd to newbies. Register for the event ($12/$25).

Wednesday, December5

The One Party

Current, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Tonight is the local PR/Advertising industry’s biggest holiday bash, The One Party. The multi-sponsored party typically draws about 200 people.

Tips: It’s loud and the drink lines are long, and no one ever dances, but it’s the event to see and be seen, and admission includes two drinks and sushi. A mix of ages and backgrounds, this event skews to the young and hip advertising/creative set. Almost everyone behaves. Bring cards, but this one’s mostly for the photo-ops. Register for the event ($45/$55).

Tips: Expect to network with a suited and mature crowd of about 50 PR professionals who know each other well. There are typically chapter award giveaways, as well. Better for chapter insiders. Register for the event ($40/$55).

Tips: A powerhouse of influential and classy women at all stages in their careers in the most refined setting in Washington. Dress to impress, and mute your mobile at this one. Register for the event ($45/$55).

Last week’s Washington Women in Public Relations annual event, the Washington PR Woman of the Year luncheon, was an outstanding and well-organized success, with the largest ever attendance yet, and a line-up of inspirational speakers. I was very pleased to be included as a guest of my clients, Melanie Jordan and Kate Perrin of PRofessional Solutions, LLC.

Following a lunch of salad, chicken, pasta, and German chocolate cake, the keynote speaker addressed the audience.

Charlotte Beers had words of wisdom to share with the audience of WWPR members and communicators. The author of I’d Rather Be In Charge has had an illustrious career in advertising, including a position as the CEO of Ogilvy. She also served as Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in the Bush administration.

She didn’t pull any punches in relating some of the challenges she faced at the top. Ms. Beers told stories about accomplishments, but also of sexual discrimination and harassment, including being attacked by a client. She stressed how important it was to make alliances with other women in male-dominated workplaces, and to refuse to allow people to diminish ideas and contributions.

She encouraged the audience to make the effort to understand themselves so they could take advantage of their strengths and compensate for their shortcomings. “Know what you are made of, so when you are challenged, you know about the traits.” These qualities, she explained, reveal why you are “great at one job and lousy at another.”

She also cautioned against putting too much stock in what others say about you. “You can be way too influenced by what other people tell you about yourself.”

Ms. Beers expounded on what she called the qualities of an “artful communicator.” Artful communication, she said, involves clarity, memorability, and persuasiveness. “Think in terms of not what you want to say but the response you want to evoke.”

To be persuasive, Ms. Beers said you have to show that you have “skin in the game.” The message you want to convey is that “I’m committed and I’m not turning back.”

Ms. Beers was an inspirational and entertaining speaker and was a tremendous addition to the event this year.

Following Ms. Beers’ presentation was a short speech by Heathere Evans-Keenan, last year’s Washington PR Woman of the Year. The independent public relations practitioner talked about how winning the award increased her confidence in professional contexts. She then announced the winner from the three honoree finalists.

A clearly elated Stephanie Fu accepted the award and gave a short speech. Principal of the local PR firm SLF Strategies, the new Washington PR Woman of the Year asked the audience to consider two things: their inspiration and their aspiration.

She then presented a tribute to her parents — her inspiration — who were in attendance. Ms. Fu has a pedigree of success — her mother was a medical researcher who helped identify the dangers of lead poisoning and advocated for its removal from household products. Her father was one of the genius engineers behind GPS technology.

Her story of aspiration was quite touching. She told the story of how her young daughter was told to draw a picture in school of someone she looked up to. The daughter drew a picture of her mother that was full of symbols about Ms. Fu’s best qualities. Ms. Fu said this is the image of the person she now aspires to be.

In 2008, I served as co-chair of the Washington PR Woman of the Year Award, so I know first-hand how difficult it can be to plan this high-profile event, even with a corps of dedicated volunteers. But, each year, the event gets better and better, as does the organization. And this year, the event was brilliant.

If you work in public relations in the Washington, DC area, whether you are a man or a woman, it’s a smart move to become involved with Washington Women in Public Relations.

Who inspires you in the field of public relations? Now is the time to recognize her contributions! Nominate your favorite public relations professional for WWPR’s Washington PR Woman of the Year Award.

For the 23rd year, Washington Women in Public Relations will honor an outstanding professional as Washington PR Woman of the Year, this year on November 15 , 2012 at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Washington, DC.

The professional organization is now accepting nominations for this prestigious honor. Last year, Fletcher Prince client Heathere Evans Keenan won the award.

There are many ways to support the event, including sponsorship packages. In 2010, we donated a video production package and makeup kit for the raffle. In 2008, I served as co-chair for the Mayflower Hotel awards event, and Fletcher Prince provided pro bono graphic design services and signed on as a Gold-level sponsor to support the event.

To be eligible for consideration as Washington PR Woman of the Year, nominees should live in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and have ten or more years of public relations work experience, with at least three of those years employed in the Washington, DC area.

The nomination requires submission of a resume; three examples of career accomplishments; a 500-word nominating essay; description of memberships, certificates, and professional affiliations; list of awards received; and a description of community service and activities.

Nomination packets and instructions are available online at WWPR.org and are due no later than midnight, August 31, 2012.

Think nothing happens in DC in August? Think again! There are plenty of educational and networking events coming up this month for communicators, and people interested in learning more about PR, marketing, and social media!

I am so pleased and flattered to be invited by Kate Perrin and Melanie Jordan of PRofessional Solutions. They have not only been a wonderful client to work with, but they have also provided me with two very interesting public relations assignments in the past two years.

And talk about inspiring: Kate has supported WWPR since its inception, not to mention her support of and work with PRSA-NCC, AWC-DC, and IABC-DC and now serves on the Dress for Success board. If you have temporary public relations staffing needs, or are seeking a temporary or permanent public relations position, you should talk to Kate and Melanie. They are the best!

On the same day, WWPR offers a luncheon presentation, this one at the National Press Club, with Keith Blackman — the topic is media training. You may have to join WWPR to go, because this is a members-only thing, but it will be worth it.

Saturday, March 5

Alexandria’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is today, and it’s a doozy. Yeah, I think it’s a little early for it, too, but there you go. Dig out your green clothes!

Remember Father Guido Sarducci? This year, he’s hosting theDC ADDY Awards Gala. Seriously, I’m not kidding. The real McCoy. The event also showcases the best in creative advertising in Washington, DC, and will entertain and inspire you.

If you are a DC communicator and thought you could put away your party shoes after The ONE Party at the beginning of this month, you are sadly mistaken. There are four holiday parties for communicators this week. There’s something right for everyone, so let the networking begin!

MONDAY, December 13

Who: PRSA-NCC (The National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America)

Details: PRSA always puts out a nice spread for their elegant holiday parties. Their holiday event is most meaningful for PR professionals who are involved in some way with the Chapter. Most attendees are seasoned professionals (20+ years of experience), with a few younger people also attending. The recipients of PRSA-NCC’s Young Professional Award and the Diamond Award will be recognized. Cash contributions to the Salvation Army or to Goodwill Industries will be encouraged. Light fare and refreshments will be served.

Details: WWPR holiday events tend to be low-key and right for networking (not noisy, not a huge crowd). Expect a 80/20 female/male ratio, with ages skewing to 20s and 30s, but men are welcome to attend, and women of all ages belong to WWPR. Ticket includes one drink and appetizers. WWPR is collecting gift cards in $10 denominations to grocery stores, Target or Payless, and gently used and new toys and books for all ages, for their charity, Children’s Law Center.

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Who: AMADC (American Marketing Association )

Where: Cure Bar & Bistro, 1000 H Street Northwest, Washington, DC

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Cost: $25 members; $35 non-members

Details: Includes one drink or wine tasting and appetizers. There will be a silent auction. AMADC is collecting toys and books at the event to donate to local charities. AMADC events tend to draw a diverse crowd (different occupations and experience levels).

Details: SMC-DC will have a designated area at the bar at this fun happy hour event skewed toward younger professionals, many of whom work in tech. There will be karaoke. Expect a big crowd of Millenials, plenty of noise, and beer.

Networking at holiday parties is a fun and funny thing. First of all, the parties are often quite crowded and loud. You see so many people you want to talk to, but you can often do only quick hits. You would think that nothing of any business use would happen, or that networking with your colleagues (which some people might call competitors) makes less sense than networking in your own industry. With the costs involved, you might be tempted to skip it (often around $50 a piece, plus sitters, clothes, and transportation).

But that would be a big mistake. It would be a big mistake for any business owneror manager, regardless of their industry to pass on these events.

Because, in my experience, in addition to just the fun part of connecting, the parties are really quite a useful investment, so it’s quite important to put in an appearance. I have obtained a few clients as a result of connections I made at these events.

What’s key to these events? Is it having an elevator speech all ready? No, not really. The important thing is to bring a big smile for pictures, because they will published. Everywhere. Facebook. Industry blogs.

The other thing I would emphasize (which I can always improve on) is being a good listener. You don’t really have to talk about your business at all IF you have done your homework all year! And by that, you have dedicated sufficient time to making your brand visible and memorable. And by that I mean,

You have a Facebook Page that you update frequently.

You have YouTube video.

You have an outstanding website/blog.

You commented on other blogs of colleagues.

You at least have a presence on Twitter and LinkedIn.

You took pictures all year round, and talked about your business.

If you have done those things all year, you can relax at the holiday party and listen to other people talk about their business…or their kids…or the appetizers. Which of course, makes you a much more desirable companion at a party or luncheon. Sometimes the way to get business for your business is not to talk much about your business! 🙂 Listening is good.

It may seem superficial, but it may also help to wear something that stands out, so people remember you. I’m not talking about reindeer antlers! But at a crowded event, you may not get a chance to speak to everyone, and you do want people to remember you were there. From the One Party, I remember Paul Dunning in his black velvet jacket and Eric Frost in a beautiful suit. I know both of them well, but they looked outstanding that night. And at the IPRA party, Sandra Remey wore this beautiful winter white suit. It was unexpected and gorgeous on her, which made her memorable at the luncheon. Image makes an impression! Whatever you do, don’t wear a little black dress to these things (especially if you are a guy, that just wouldn’t look right).

What’s the must-have accessory (besides a cool business card) for a holiday event? A CAMERA. Everybody kills themselves to look good and almost no one brings a camera. You should take pictures and especially track down any professional photographer at these events and BEG them to take your picture! I cannot tell you how much my online photos have opened doors for me. Also if you are feeling shy, or you feel like you have no one to talk to (I get shyness attacks all the times), then you can whip out your camera and start taking pictures of everything. You are never bored with a camera.